Abdulrahman Lawal is a licensed Nigerian pharmacist who graduated with First Class Honours in Pharmacy from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, in 2021, ranking second in his class. He has over four years of professional experience spanning pharmaceutical care, regulatory pharmacy, formulation, and laboratory analysis.

His interest in skin health research grew during his undergraduate research, which investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial potential of Abelmoschus esculentus seed oil. He translated his findings into a prototype dermatological cream with commercial development potential. This experience inspired him to pursue EMOTION to deepen his understanding of dermo-cosmetic science.

His long-term ambition is to advance dermo-cosmetic research by developing safe, effective, and sustainable products that improve skin health, appearance, and self-confidence.

Three words: Resilient – Determined – Curious

Francesca Patisso is Italian and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Siena. Driven by her passion for cosmetics, she completed the MBM Master in the Cosmetic and Fragrance Sector in Padua, gaining a strong business-oriented perspective. She then completed an internship at Cosmint (Intercos), which fueled her ambition and led her to apply for the EMOTION program.

She is honoured to be part of this master’s, where she looks forward to expanding her scientific expertise and growing alongside her peers. Her wish is for everyone in the program to make a positive impact on the future of cosmetics with a continuous desire to explore.

Three words: Organised – Empathetic – Determined.

Marina grew up in Egypt, where her curiosity and love for science led her to study Clinical Pharmacy at Cairo University, graduating with high honours. She then pursued a career in pharmaceutical research and development, gaining experience in formulation and innovative medicines. Her exploration of nanotechnology, particularly its applications in wound healing and skin regeneration, sparked a deeper interest in dermatology and skin health.

Driven by her passion for learning, scientific discovery, and cultural exchange, Marina joined                   EMOTION to combine her scientific background with her interest in skin health. She hopes to contribute to research that transforms scientific knowledge into meaningful solutions for people’s well-being while embracing new experiences, learning from diverse perspectives, and growing both professionally and personally.

Three words: Curious – Determined – Adventurous

Isabel is a medical doctor from Cuenca, Ecuador, with a growing interest in dermatology and skin health innovation.

After graduating, she worked in an underserved community in the Amazon rainforest, where she encountered a range of skin conditions and limited access to first-line treatments.This experience reinforced her interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying skin diseases and the research behind dermatological therapeutics and medical devices, particularly those that are effective, accessible, and adapted to the needs of diverse populations.
Motivated to bridge clinical medicine and scientific innovation, she joined the EMOTION program to deepen her understanding of skin science and build research and development skills.

 Three words: Driven – Analytical – Grounded

Hoang Lich Phan, Pharmacist, earned his bachelor’s degree from Ton Duc Thang University, where he developed a strong research focus on pharmaceutical development and drug delivery. His research in pharmaceutical formulation and biomaterials resulted in two first-author Q2 publications and two additional co-authored publications.

Beyond academia, he gained industry experience as an R&D Pharmacist, working with advanced drug delivery systems, including liposomes, nanoemulsions, lipid nanoparticles, and hydrogels. Now pursuing the EMOTION Erasmus Mundus Joint Master, he aims to expand his expertise toward translational and clinical pharmaceutical research, bridging innovative drug delivery technologies with clinical development to advance therapies from pharmaceutical design to patient benefit.

 Three words: Driven – Versatile – Innovative

Tasfiah Tasnim Maha is of Bangladeshi origin and grew up in Kuwait before returning to Bangladesh for higher education. She graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences from BRAC University in 2025, earning the Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Medal for her outstanding academic achievements.

Alongside her studies, Maha gained experience in product management at a leading pharmaceutical company and in academia. During her undergraduate years, she was involved with the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation, fostering partnerships among students and academic institutions to promote knowledge exchange, professional development, and innovation.
Despite securing four fully funded scholarships worldwide, she chose the EMOTION program for its interdisciplinary approach to dermatological sciences and skin health. She aims to deepen her understanding of skin biology, dermatological formulations, and skin health principles, ultimately contributing to evidence-based research and developing safe, effective, and innovative dermatological products.

Three words: Authentic – Compassionate – Tenacious

Aya Mohamed is an Egyptian pharmacist who graduated top of her class from the British University in Egypt (BUE) in 2021. As a first-generation graduate in the medical field and the first in her family to pursue postgraduate studies, she is driven by curiosity and discovery. She joined BUE as a teaching assistant, developing a passion for teaching and inspiring future healthcare professionals.

Her research journey began with an undergraduate project on chemoresistance, expanding into pharmacology, toxicology, and neurovascular protection. Four fully funded scholarships have supported her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, research internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Erasmus Mundus EMOTION journey. Through EMOTION, she aims to explore skin health, cellular ageing, translational research, and entrepreneurship, bridging scientific discoveries with real-world applications.

Three words: Curious – Resilient – Ambitious

Kenny Yonatan was born and raised in Indonesia, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences. His curiosity about medicine led him to explore research in tumour biology, wound healing, neuroscience, and systematic reviews of gestational exposure to Bisphenols. After graduation, he entered the healthcare industry in product marketing across in-vitro diagnostics and aesthetic medicine. Collaborating with healthcare professionals on technologies including energy-based devices, injectables, and extracellular vesicle-based products offered a new perspective on translating science into real-world applications. His experience with an “exosome”-based product sparked his interest in bridging biomedical innovations with evidence-based practice, leading him towards regenerative dermatology and EMOTION. Through EMOTION, Kenny hopes to deepen his expertise in dermatological science and contribute to innovative, evidence-based solutions for skin health.

Three words: Curious – Critical – Purposeful

Jesika Shah grew up in Nepal, a land of majestic Himalayan peaks and rich culture. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Purbanchal University and is a registered biomedical engineer in Nepal. Her research on carbon quantum dots for detecting cancer cells introduced her to the world of nanomaterials and biosensing. She completed an internship as a biomedical engineer at a hospital, gaining hands-on clinical experience. A growing interest in the science behind skincare led her from biomedical engineering toward cosmetic science. Through EMOTION, she hopes to build her skills in cosmetic science and gain international exposure, with the aim of creating skincare that is safe and effective. Jesika loves to travel and is curious about the people and cultures she meets.

Three words: Ambitious – Hardworking – Resourceful

Md Fahim Shahriar was born in Bangladesh, the only nation that sacrificed its people’s lives for the right to speak their own language. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pharmacy at China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China, known as the world’s largest pharmaceutical university. His research interests align with protein-based drug design and molecular biotechnology. Fahim has multiple first-authored publications in SCI-indexed journals and is currently working as a reviewer for a few SCI journals to facilitate the peer-review process. He can speak six languages fluently and is able to communicate with more than half of the world’s population. With his intense enthusiasm for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, he believes EMOTION will be a great platform to develop his dry-lab-based skills.

Three words: Cosmopolite – Resilient – Collegial

Kyla Tan grew up in a multigenerational Filipino-Chinese household in Quezon City, Philippines, where her grandmother’s vanity closet sparked her fascination with cosmetic formulations. A Chemistry graduate of the University of the Philippines, she began her career in formulation research and consumer technical insights in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. She has since developed formulations across diverse product categories and led product innovation for internationally recognised brands, championing R&D from laboratory benches and manufacturing plants to scientific conferences and brand events.

Through EMOTION, Kyla aspires to deepen her expertise in skin and hair science, clinical research, biotechnology, and innovation management. She believes R&D can be a powerful driver of economic transformation.

Three Words: Creative – Journalistic – Driven

Yasaman Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Yasaman Fallahi pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, developing a passion for cosmetic science and innovation.

Her experience supervising the Cosmetics R&D Department at a knowledge-based company strengthened her interest in formulation and product development, inspiring her to build a career in the cosmetic industry.

Growing up in Iran taught her perseverance in the face of challenges and limitations. Moving to Italy to join EMOTION became both an academic achievement and a personal milestone, reflecting her determination to pursue opportunities beyond borders.

Through EMOTION, she hopes to expand her expertise in skin science, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and contribute to innovative, science-driven cosmetic products.

Three words: Resilient – Ambitious – Curious

Ana Sofía Molina is a Colombian Pharmaceutical Chemist from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia whose career is driven by a passion for medicine, cosmetics, and improving lives. Her early career included clinical and pharmacovigilance internships with a pharmaceutical company and a specialised program at the University Hospital Center of Nice, supported by a French Government grant. These experiences reinforced her commitment to quality, safety, and regulatory compliance while inspiring her to seek a broader global perspective through postgraduate studies. Encouraged by a mentor, Ana discovered the Erasmus Mundus EMOTION Master’s program, finding the ideal path to bridge her interests. Passionate about cosmetics and dermatology, she aims to raise awareness of skin pathologies, advance clinical research, and translate science into meaningful healthcare solutions. 

Three Words: Purposeful – Compassionate – Ambitious

Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sophie Klein grew up fascinated by the natural power of plants and skincare. Turning that curiosity into a career path, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, discovering a passion for natural product chemistry and formulation science.

 Her university studies broadened her horizons through exchange programs in Madrid, Spain and Perugia, Italy, where she fell in love with cross-cultural collaboration and reinforcing her commitment to an international career. Finding the EMOTION program was the perfect convergence of her scientific training and curiosity for dermatology and product formulation. Sophie is thrilled to join her talented cohort, dedicating her master’s research toward creating next-generation cosmetic solutions. She looks forward to advancing her understanding of skin health while proudly representing New Mexico on a global stage.

Three words: Curious – Creative – Ambitious

Alejandra Varela was born in Mexico City, where an early fascination with science and mathematical problem-solving led her to pursue a degree in Biotechnology Engineering. During an Erasmus exchange in Lithuania, she explored bioinformatics and industrial biotechnology, broadening her perspective on the value of learning in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment.

Driven by a growing interest in skin health, she completed two internships focused on emerging applications of nanotechnology in this field. After graduating in 2024, she worked in stem cell research and cell culture operations while pursuing a diploma in Regenerative Medicine.

Through EMOTION, Alejandra hopes to learn from diverse scientific approaches around the world and gain the tools to help translate dermatological and skin-health innovations from the laboratory to the patient.

Three words: Analytical – Optimistic – Empathetic

Mikheil Kharadze, born in Tbilisi, moves easily between clinic, laboratory and consumer market. He earned his MD at David Tvildiani Medical University, among Georgia’s most selective medical schools, leaving with a devotion to clinical dermatology, with a focus on dermoscopy and emerging preventive diagnostics. Shaped by mentors at MediClub Georgia, he reads every trial with a critic’s eye.

As Health Policy Specialist at Gotua Clinic, he wrote clinical protocols and helped build a new dermatology department with various pharmaceutical/industrial partners. Alongside clinical work, he has mediated therapy for refugees from Georgia’s minority communities in Germany. Fluent in four languages and at home among regulatory frameworks, he joined EMOTION to turn clinical insight into evidence-based skin-health innovation for Georgia’s underserved market, always with unwavering regard for the person behind the skin.

Three words: Erudite – Discerning – Meticulous

Paula Martínez de Pinillos grew up in Venezuela and moved to the United States at 16, where she developed a passion for science, medicine, and the relationship between health and society. She earned a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Applied Sociology, specialising in Medical Sociology, from the University of Central Florida.
As a researcher and clinical research coordinator, Paula has contributed to studies in clinical medicine, public health, mental health, and health disparities. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to improving lives through science.

Aspiring to become a dermatologist and establish her own skincare and cosmetics brand, Paula sees EMOTION as an opportunity to combine her interests in medicine, research, and innovation. She hopes to advance evidence-based skincare and translate scientific discoveries into solutions for skin health and well-being.

Three words: Compassionate – Curious – Brave

Maria Camila Prieto Perdomo studied biology at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about skin conditions and a love for skincare (inspired by her nona), she has always wanted to connect biological science with skin health. Throughout her academic journey, Camila had the opportunity to complete a research internship at Purdue University, where she worked on plant physiology and plant bioactives, one of her core research interests. Her goal is to become an R&D specialist, contributing to the discovery of new bioactive compounds and metabolites for the skincare industry while promoting the principles of the circular economy. For now, she is honoured to be part of this program and to bring her biological perspective and creative spirit.

Three words: Creative – Passionate – Analytical.

Zainab Arooj grew up in Islamabad, Pakistan, asking one question: why do patients walk away without the help they came for? That question led her to a Doctor of Pharmacy at FCCU, Lahore, graduating Cum Laude, and into community pharmacy, where she saw it unfold every day.

Working with patients managing chronic skin conditions, she experienced this gap professionally and personally. She knows the burden is physical, financial, and psychological, and that patients of colour carry it in ways research has barely begun to measure.

Her path spans manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and healthcare operations; each role revealing what stands between innovation and the patients who need it the most. EMOTION is where she hopes to connect clinical science with real-world advocacy to finally bridge that gap.

Three words: Curious – Determined – Empathetic

Tinatini Kurtanidze holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, gaining knowledge in environmental and healthcare biotechnology.

 Her professional journey spans clinical laboratories, where she developed laboratory skills, and the pharmaceutical and dermocosmetic industries. Alongside her scientific background, Tinatini is a passionate science communicator with over 300,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. She bridges the gap between scientific research and understanding by translating complex skincare and haircare findings into accessible, evidence-based content. Her collaborations include La Roche-Posay, Erborian, and The Body Shop, among others. She shares her EMOTION journey with her online audience, offering glimpses into her experiences.

Through EMOTION, she aims to deepen her expertise in cosmetic research. Her long-term ambition is to develop a science-driven haircare brand focused on scalp health.

 Three words: Curious – Innovative – Determined